My How Times Have Changed!

Well it’s that time of year again, the time where we all scramble through the crowds to try and find that perfect gift for the loved ones in our life. I can remember a time when there was no internet at all, and going to the mall to fight the crowds was more of a tradition than anything else. I can remember getting a group of guys together and going to the local mall to make fun of each other while we tried to accomplish some shopping. It was usually a really good time. You would see plenty of people there who you normally would not run into throughout the year. They too would be wondering around aimlessly trying to find something that would catch their eye.

Nowadays things are completely different than they were back then. You don’t even need to leave your living room to do your holiday shopping. You can simply go to a store’s website, and have the gift shipped to your door. If you do decide to step-out and go to the local mall, you would be lucky to run into some of your friends. If they do happen to be there, you will probably miss them when they go by as chances are they will be looking at their phone, or you will be scrolling through yours.

Technology has completely changed the way we interact with each other these days. Our phones have evolved into handheld computers making all of the world’s information accessible through a few taps and clicks. Even the biggest idiots among us can seem intelligent simply because they know how to look things up on their hand-held Trivial Pursuit machine. People rarely talk to each other anymore as there isn’t a need when they text each other. This is a great way for you to get your point across without having to listen to someone else’s point of view. Then we use Facebook and other forums to tell our “selected” group of friends what we are doing, or what we would rather be doing. It’s all so impersonal, but at times I have to admit, I love it! I am man enough to admit that I don’t like answering the phone, or even talking on it. I have never been one for explaining myself, or telling someone what I am doing and/or why. The new cell phones make it so we can share what we want to share, not what we are forced to share. If someone texts me and ask me what I am doing, I can tell them anything I want. How are they going to know any different? I really think it has made me more likeable simply because I can think of how I am going to respond to someone before I actually do. I have the tendency to say exactly what I’m thinking, and I have found out over the years that many people in the world really appreciate that about me. There are also quite a few who hate it…so I use a cell phone to talk to them.

In all seriousness, the holidays should be a time when we try to interact with each other a bit more. That’s what it’s supposed to be all about. My whole family has cell phones and I am going to make an attempt this year to try to turn mine off. Yes, I will still be doing most of my shopping online, but I may just go to the mall this year to see if I can spot any of my friends. Hopefully I can catch them texting me.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Meet Lowell Anderson, J&P Cycles director of brands. In this position, he is responsible for the assortment, design and development of products for our private label brands. Prior to joining the J&P team, Lowell was a senior manager for KTM North America Inc., where he was responsible for designing, developing and marketing all the KTM hard parts and clothing for the KTM Hard Equipment product line.
Lowell has a passion for everything on two wheels. He still enjoys riding both street and dirt bikes. In his spare time, Lowell enjoys working on his bikes, building metric bobbers and spending time with his family and friends.

5 Comments

As for the people of color riding motorcycles….Sorry I got over the color thing years ago. They are human beings…just like me….and you…and our neighbors…and our friends.

Michael
December 20, 2012 at 5:32 pm

Right…..we all have a little color. (I’m a lovely reddish tan).

Chuck P
December 20, 2012 at 11:15 am

I work right in the middle of communication technology. The sports stadium is named after us here in San Diego. I have seen the results of the “new technology” with peoples deaths caused from inattentive driving, not even to mention the sprained ankles and screwed up shoulders from people walking, tripping or stumbling right into something while their face and attention is given to what I have named “finger toys.” Do I have one?….sure..and one of the best made, but do I walk from one place to another with in in my hand or sitting at the restaurant checking emails or whatever.. no. Should we each consider ourselves so vainly important that we cannot miss a call, text message or email and just share the moment with the person seated across the table from you?
B4Ulook, wcha doin Tday?

Johnny B
December 20, 2012 at 9:36 am

Times may have changed as far as how we communicate, but times have not changed in terms of who we communicate to or with. I can’t help but notice how people of color are ignored when it comes to motorcycle culture. And I’ve seen too much of the wrong attitude when it comes to riders of color. I’m sure that our creator, who’s birth we celebrate this time of year approves.

BAD BOB
December 20, 2012 at 11:05 am

HEY JOHNNY ONE OF MY BEST FRIND RIDERS IS OF COLOR AND WE COMMUNICATE ALL THE TIME.